Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

World Programme for Human Rights Education; Consideration of the elaboration of a draft declaration on the promotion and full respect of human rights of people of African descent; Human rights and the environment; Human rights education and training; The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests; The question of the death penalty; Conscientious objection to military service; Impact of arms transfers on human rights in armed conflicts; Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Voting record

Since it first became a member of the Council in 2011, Costa Rica has either voted in favour of or has joined consensus on all resolutions tabled under item 4 (situations that require the Council’s attention), and country-specific resolutions under item 2. For item 7 resolutions (human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories), Costa Rica has generally voted in favour (although on two occasions it abstained – in 2012). On item 10 resolutions (capacity-building), Costa Rica has joined consensus on all resolutions except for one that was voted on (during the period of its membership): on cooperation with Ukraine (Costa Rica voted in favour).
For thematic resolutions dealing with civil and political rights, Costa Rica has generally joined consensus. Where there has been a vote, Costa Rica has always voted in favour.
For thematic resolutions dealing with economic, social and cultural rights, Costa Rica has either joined consensus on, or has voted in favour of, nearly all adopted texts. The exceptions are a 2014 NAM resolution on unilateral coercive measures (Costa Rica abstained), and a 2012 Cuban resolution on the effects of foreign debt (Costa Rica abstained).

Universal Periodic Review

Participation in other reviews1st cycle: 27 / 192

2nd cycle: 162 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Cited in the Secretary General’s reports on 'alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' (2010-2018)?

YES

Response to allegations from government concerned?NO

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 9

Costa Rica tabled its commitments and voluntary pledges in support of its candidacy for membership for the period 2011-2014 on 11 April 2011.

Domestically, Costa Rica pledged to: promote vigorous public policies regarding gender equality and the participatory rights of vulnerable groups; establish an inter-institutional committee on human rights to work on national reports to Treaty Bodies and the UPR mechanism; and to follow-up on accepted UPR recommendations.

At international level, Costa Rica committed to: continue the process of signing and ratifying the OP-ICESCR; achieve legislative approval of the CPED; promote initiatives on important topics, including education and environmental conservation; stand against no-action motions on draft resolutions; participate in different areas of work of the Council; promote the independence of and cooperate with Special Procedures; and contribute financial resources to the promotion of human rights.

An analysis of steps taken by Costa Rica in fulfilment of its pledges made at international level shows that it continues to make voluntary contributions to OHCHR, donating approximately US$10,000 in 2015 and US$8,800 in 2014. Regarding cooperation with Special Procedures, Costa Rica maintains a Standing Invitation and accepted and facilitated all the visit requests it received (6). It also responded to all 6 communications. In 2012, Costa Rica ratified the CPED and in 2014 the OP-ICESCR. For the international instruments to which Costa Rica is Party, it has 1 overdue periodic report (CPED), submitted 4 late (ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW & CERD), and is on schedule for reporting on three (CAT, CRC, CRPD). Regarding participation at the Council, Costa Rica has participated in around a quarter of all panel discussions, interactive dialogues and general debates.